Newgarden DQ’d, Penske teammates fined
Josef Newgarden’s win in IndyCar’s season-opening race at St. Petersburg was disqualified Wednesday because Team Penske manipulated its push-to-pass system during the race, making Pato O’Ward the winner.
O’Ward, who drives for McLaren, had originally finished second.
Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin, who finished third, was also disqualified. Will Power, the third Penske driver, was docked 10 points. Additionally, all three entries have been fined $25,000 and will forfeit all prize money associated with the race. Roger Penske owns IndyCar.
“The integrity of the IndyCar Series championship is critical to everything we do,” IndyCar President Jay Frye said. “While the violation went undetected at St. Petersburg, IndyCar discovered the manipulation during Sunday’s warmup in Long Beach and immediately addressed it ensuring all cars were compliant for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Beginning with this week’s race at Barber Motorsports Park, new technical inspection procedures will be in place to deter this violation.”
Newgarden, a two-time IndyCar champion and reigning Indianapolis 500 winner who is in a contract year with Penske, fell from first in points to 11th with the disqualification.
A review of the data from the St. Petersburg race showed that Team Penske manipulated the overtake system so the three Penske drivers could use push-to-pass on starts and restarts. According to IndyCar rules, the use of the overtake isn’t available until the car reaches the alternate start-finish line.
“Unfortunately, the push-to-pass software was not removed as it should have been, following recently completed hybrid testing in the Team Penske Indy cars,” Team Penske President Tim Cindric said in a statement. “This software allowed for push-to-pass to be deployed during restarts at the St. Petersburg Grand Prix race, when it should not have been permitted. The No. 2 car driven by Josef Newgarden and the No. 3 car driven by Scott
McLaughlin, both deployed push-topass on a restart, which violated IndyCar rules. Team Penske accepts the penalties applied by IndyCar.”
NBA PLAYOFFS
McDaniels helps Timberwolves beat Suns for 2-0 series lead
Jaden McDaniels scored 25 points and spearheaded another stifling defensive performance by Minnesota in a 105-93 victory over Phoenix to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round series on Tuesday night.
PACERS 125, BUCKS 108 >> Pascal Siakam scored 37 points and Indiana overcame a 26-point first-half performance from Damian Lillard to beat Milwaukee and tie their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series at a game apiece.
NHL PLAYOFFS
Rangers continue hot streak, take 2-0 lead on Capitals
Vincent Trocheck and Mika Zibanejad each had a goal and an assist and the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers held on to beat the Washington Capitals 4-3 Tuesday night for a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series. New York, seeking its first Stanley Cup championship in 30 years, has won four straight and 12 of its last 15 games. PANTHERS 3, LIGHTNING 2, OT >> Carter Verhaeghe lifted a backhander just under the crossbar 2:59 into overtime, and Florida beat Tampa Bay for a 2-0 lead in their first-round series. AVALANCHE 5, JETS 2 >> Artturi Lehkonen
had a goal and assist and Colorado scored four goals in the second period in a win at Winnipeg to tie the first-round playoff series at a game apiece.
PREDATORS 4, CANUCKS 1 >> Filip Forsberg scored a goal and had an assist, and Nashville won at Vancouver to even the best-of-seven playoff series at 1-1.
• San Jose fired coach David Quinn following a 41-98-25 record the last two seasons, the worst mark in the NHL in that span, including a leagueworst 47 points this season.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Caitlin Clark first two-time Sullivan Award winner
Caitlin Clark, who led Iowa to consecutive national title games and set the NCAA’s all-time scoring record, became the first two-time winner in the 94-year history of the James E. Sullivan Award, presented to the nation’s most outstanding athlete at the college or Olympic level.
The award also honors leadership, citizenship, character and sportsmanship on and off the playing field.
“The AAU Sullivan Award is an incredible honor,” Clark said via Zoom. “I have been inspired by so many athletes that came before me and I hope I can be that same inspiration for the next generation to follow their dreams.”
• Horizon League men’s basketball player of the year Trey Townsend, a forward who helped Oakland to a breakout run in the NCAA Tournament, is transferring to Arizona.